Women's Soccer: How the Polk Teams Stack Up

Wednesday

Aug 21, 2013 at 5:09 PM

By RAY BEASOCK THE LEDGER

FLORIDA SOUTHERN MOCCASINSCOACH: Brittany Jones (6-8-4, second season).CONFERENCE: Sunshine State Conference2012 RECORD: 6-8-4.RETURNING STARTERS: Caroline Evers (So., Forward); Kara Moore (Sr., Midfielder); Sarah Goolsby (So., Forward); Kirra Rainbow (Jr., Forward); Alyssa Abrahamsen (Sr., Defender); Christine Knudstrup (So., Defender); Jackie Metz (Jr., Midfielder); Gianna Conte (So., Defender); Brooke Williams (Sr., Defender); Erin Moseley (Jr., Goalkeeper).KEY LOSSES: Morgan Sammons (Defender).KEY NEWCOMERS: Kellee Brown (Fr., Defender); Taylor Chitty (So., Midfielder); Kristy Legoas (Fr., Midfielder/Forward); Selene Nelson (Fr., Midfielder); Sheila Ramos (Fr. Midfielder/Forward).2013 OUTLOOK: The Mocs play in one of the toughest conferences in the nation so it's never easy for them to pick up wins. However, they return a very deep team this year led by Abrahamsen, who was a First Team All- South Region and All-SSC selection last year. They also return Second Team All-SSC players in Evers and Moore. They're strong in goal also as Moeley posted five shutouts and a 1.16 GAA last year. "I believe one of our team's strengths going into this season is going to be the experience we gained from playing the toughest schedule in the South Region last season," Jones said. "We were very competitive in our schedule despite having a very young team last season. We have a very strong group of players returning and are looking to add depth to that group with our incoming freshmen."

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SOUTHEASTERN FIRECOACH: Bronson Gambale (first year).2012 SEASON: 8-9-1 (4-5-1)CONFERENCE: The Sun ConferenceRETURNING STARTERS: Anna Hall (Sr., Forward); Jessica Crowe (Sr., Forward).KEY LOSSES: Kelsey Anthony (Defenseman); Emily Kearns (Defenseman); Ally Larese (Forward); Lorin Ressler (Midfielder).KEY NEWCOMERS: Kaela Champion (Fr., Defenseman); Danielle Alvey (Fr., Midfielder); Gabriella Smith (Fr., Midfielder/Forward). 2013 OUTLOOK: The Fire have a new coach in Gambale and might stumble a bit getting used to his playing style. Crowe returns as their leading scorer after tallying 28 points on 17 goals and 11 assists last season. They did lose two key defensemen (Anthony, Kearns) and their second-leading scorer (Larese) to graduation. The losses on defense could hurt them the most. Gambale believes the team can succeed if some of the new players play up to their ability. "We're experienced, physical and technically sound with some flashy and talented freshmen," he said.

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WARNER ROYALSCoach: George Arroyo Jr. (3-13, second season)Conference: The Sun Conference2012 record: 3-13Returning Starters: Lindsey McCabe (Sr., Forward); Amber Smith (Sr., Defender); Laura Morales (Sr. Midfielder); Naybet Febo (So., Midfielder); Laura Daughtery (So., Goalkeeper/Defender); Rachel LoBrutto (So., Midfielder); Stephanie Tabares (So. Defender); Courtney Anderson (R-Fr., Goalkeeper).Key Losses: Laura Newton; Brittany Patton.Key Newcomers: Emily Roebke; Marissa Ponti; Tiffany Hulse; Brittany Teague. 2013 Outlook: Arroyo Jr.'s roster is limited but appears to be much deeper than last year's. "After one year of hard work, our girls are beginning to understand our new philosophy and system of play," he said. "With the addition of the newcomers, we look set to compete and upset some of the highest competition in the Sun Conference." Morales and Febo are the team captains this year and will have to come up big to help the Royals to a successful year.